2026 Physical Sciences Rankings

Best Colleges for Physical Sciences

Data-driven rankings of 927 colleges excelling in Physical Sciences programs

927
Schools Ranked
927
Full Data Rankings
0
Partial Data Rankings
43
Unique Programs
Rankings based on field productivity, program depth, retention rates, and institutional quality in Physical Sciences.
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Top Colleges for Physical Sciences

Showing 1-50 of 927 ranked schools

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#1

Cambridge, MA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
97.8 / 100
97.8
Field Productivity
2.0% productivity
97%
Program Depth
8 programs
96%
Retention
99%
99%

Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 98, ranking in the 100th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 11,920 students with in-state tuition of $59,750.

Field productivity stands at 2% (97th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#2

Pasadena, CA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
97 / 100
97
Field Productivity
7.0% productivity
100%
Program Depth
7 programs
91%
Retention
98%
98%

California Institute of Technology is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 97, ranking in the 100th percentile for field productivity.

The college enrolls 2,463 students with in-state tuition of $60,816.

Field productivity stands at 7% (100th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#3

New Haven, CT

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
96.2 / 100
96.2
Field Productivity
1.6% productivity
95%
Program Depth
7 programs
91%
Retention
99%
99%

Yale University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 96, ranking in the 100th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 15,081 students with in-state tuition of $64,700.

Field productivity stands at 2% (95th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#4

Chicago, IL

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
96.1 / 100
96.1
Field Productivity
1.8% productivity
97%
Program Depth
6 programs
86%
Retention
99%
99%

University of Chicago is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 96, ranking in the 99th percentile for retention rate.

The college enrolls 18,339 students with in-state tuition of $63,801.

Field productivity stands at 2% (97th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#5

Berkeley, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
95.4 / 100
95.4
Field Productivity
1.2% productivity
91%
Program Depth
11 programs
99%
Retention
97%
96%

University of California-Berkeley is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 95, ranking in the 100th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 45,699 students with in-state tuition of $11,834.

Field productivity stands at 1% (91st percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#6

La Jolla, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
95.3 / 100
95.3
Field Productivity
1.3% productivity
92%
Program Depth
12 programs
100%
Retention
94%
91%

University of California-San Diego is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 95, ranking in the 100th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 42,376 students with in-state tuition of $11,834.

Field productivity stands at 1% (92nd percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#7

Providence, RI

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
94.9 / 100
94.9
Field Productivity
1.4% productivity
94%
Program Depth
8 programs
96%
Retention
99%
99%

Brown University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 95, ranking in the 99th percentile for retention rate.

The college enrolls 11,516 students with in-state tuition of $65,656.

Field productivity stands at 1% (94th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#8

Princeton, NJ

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
94.9 / 100
94.9
Field Productivity
2.5% productivity
99%
Program Depth
5 programs
77%
Retention
97%
96%

Princeton University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 95, ranking in the 100th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 8,922 students with in-state tuition of $59,710.

Field productivity stands at 3% (99th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#9

Stanford, CA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
94.5 / 100
94.5
Field Productivity
1.4% productivity
93%
Program Depth
6 programs
86%
Retention
98%
98%

Stanford University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 95, ranking in the 98th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 18,446 students with in-state tuition of $61,731.

Field productivity stands at 1% (93rd percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#10

Cambridge, MA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
94.3 / 100
94.3
Field Productivity
1.0% productivity
88%
Program Depth
11 programs
99%
Retention
99%
99%

Harvard University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 94, ranking in the 99th percentile for retention rate.

The college enrolls 30,386 students with in-state tuition of $54,269.

Field productivity stands at 1% (88th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#11

Houston, TX

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
94.3 / 100
94.3
Field Productivity
1.6% productivity
95%
Program Depth
7 programs
91%
Retention
98%
98%

Rice University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 94, ranking in the 98th percentile for retention rate.

The college enrolls 8,556 students with in-state tuition of $57,210.

Field productivity stands at 2% (95th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#12

Baltimore, MD

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
93.8 / 100
93.8
Field Productivity
1.0% productivity
88%
Program Depth
7 programs
91%
Retention
98%
98%

Johns Hopkins University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 94, ranking in the 98th percentile for retention rate.

The college enrolls 30,362 students with in-state tuition of $62,840.

Field productivity stands at 1% (88th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#13

Santa Barbara, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
93.8 / 100
93.8
Field Productivity
1.9% productivity
97%
Program Depth
7 programs
91%
Retention
92%
88%

University of California-Santa Barbara is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 94, ranking in the 100th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 26,068 students with in-state tuition of $11,834.

Field productivity stands at 2% (97th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#14

Seattle, WA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
92.5 / 100
92.5
Field Productivity
0.9% productivity
86%
Program Depth
10 programs
98%
Retention
95%
93%

University of Washington-Seattle Campus is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 93, ranking in the 100th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 55,620 students with in-state tuition of $11,524.

Field productivity stands at 1% (86th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#15

Madison, WI

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
92.4 / 100
92.4
Field Productivity
0.9% productivity
87%
Program Depth
8 programs
96%
Retention
95%
93%

University of Wisconsin-Madison is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 92, ranking in the 99th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 49,605 students with in-state tuition of $9,644.

Field productivity stands at 1% (87th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#16

Ithaca, NY

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
92.4 / 100
92.4
Field Productivity
0.9% productivity
86%
Program Depth
6 programs
86%
Retention
98%
98%

Cornell University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 92, ranking in the 98th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 26,264 students with in-state tuition of $65,204.

Field productivity stands at 1% (86th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#17

Rochester, NY

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
92.4 / 100
92.4
Field Productivity
1.6% productivity
95%
Program Depth
6 programs
86%
Retention
93%
89%

University of Rochester is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 92, ranking in the 95th percentile for field productivity.

The college enrolls 12,160 students with in-state tuition of $63,150.

Field productivity stands at 2% (95th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#18

Ann Arbor, MI

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
92.3 / 100
92.3
Field Productivity
0.8% productivity
81%
Program Depth
9 programs
98%
Retention
98%
98%

University of Michigan-Ann Arbor is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 92, ranking in the 99th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 52,065 students with in-state tuition of $17,977.

Field productivity stands at 1% (81st percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#19

New York, NY

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
92.2 / 100
92.2
Field Productivity
0.9% productivity
84%
Program Depth
8 programs
96%
Retention
97%
96%

Columbia University in the City of New York is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 92, ranking in the 98th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 35,279 students with in-state tuition of $64,526.

Field productivity stands at 1% (84th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#20

Hanover, NH

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
92.2 / 100
92.2
Field Productivity
1.3% productivity
92%
Program Depth
7 programs
91%
Retention
98%
98%

Dartmouth College is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 92, ranking in the 98th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 6,746 students with in-state tuition of $63,684.

Field productivity stands at 1% (92nd percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#21

Philadelphia, PA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
92 / 100
92
Field Productivity
0.8% productivity
82%
Program Depth
7 programs
91%
Retention
98%
98%

University of Pennsylvania is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 92, ranking in the 99th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 28,711 students with in-state tuition of $58,620.

Field productivity stands at 1% (82nd percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#22

Los Angeles, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
91.8 / 100
91.8
Field Productivity
0.9% productivity
84%
Program Depth
13 programs
100%
Retention
97%
96%

University of California-Los Angeles is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 92, ranking in the 100th percentile for program depth.

The college enrolls 46,678 students with in-state tuition of $11,834.

Field productivity stands at 1% (84th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#23

Middletown, CT

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
91.4 / 100
91.4
Field Productivity
2.5% productivity
99%
Program Depth
5 programs
77%
Retention
95%
93%

Wesleyan University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 91, ranking in the 99th percentile for field productivity.

The college enrolls 3,271 students with in-state tuition of $66,716.

Field productivity stands at 2% (99th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#24

Williamstown, MA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
91.3 / 100
91.3
Field Productivity
2.9% productivity
99%
Program Depth
5 programs
77%
Retention
97%
96%

Williams College is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 91, ranking in the 99th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 2,168 students with in-state tuition of $64,540.

Field productivity stands at 3% (99th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#25

Durham, NC

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
91.2 / 100
91.2
Field Productivity
0.9% productivity
84%
Program Depth
7 programs
91%
Retention
96%
94%

Duke University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 91, ranking in the 99th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 17,112 students with in-state tuition of $63,450.

Field productivity stands at 1% (84th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#26

Annapolis, MD

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
90.4 / 100
90.4
Field Productivity
3.0% productivity
99%
Program Depth
4 programs
64%
Retention
96%
94%

United States Naval Academy is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 90, ranking in the 99th percentile for field productivity.

The college enrolls 4,465 students.

Field productivity stands at 3% (99th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#27

Pittsburgh, PA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
89.7 / 100
89.7
Field Productivity
1.2% productivity
91%
Program Depth
12 programs
100%
Retention
97%
96%

Carnegie Mellon University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 90, ranking in the 100th percentile for program depth.

The college enrolls 15,596 students with in-state tuition of $62,260.

Field productivity stands at 1% (91st percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#28

Santa Cruz, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
89.6 / 100
89.6
Field Productivity
1.6% productivity
95%
Program Depth
7 programs
91%
Retention
90%
83%

University of California-Santa Cruz is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 90, ranking in the 98th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 19,764 students with in-state tuition of $11,834.

Field productivity stands at 2% (95th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#29

Davis, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
89.6 / 100
89.6
Field Productivity
0.7% productivity
79%
Program Depth
10 programs
98%
Retention
93%
89%

University of California-Davis is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 90, ranking in the 98th percentile for program depth.

The college enrolls 39,707 students with in-state tuition of $11,834.

Field productivity stands at 1% (79th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#30

Irvine, CA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
89.4 / 100
89.4
Field Productivity
0.9% productivity
85%
Program Depth
7 programs
91%
Retention
94%
91%

University of California-Irvine is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 89, ranking in the 98th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 36,582 students with in-state tuition of $11,834.

Field productivity stands at 1% (85th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#31

Chapel Hill, NC

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
89.1 / 100
89.1
Field Productivity
0.9% productivity
84%
Program Depth
7 programs
91%
Retention
97%
96%

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 89, ranking in the 97th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 32,234 students with in-state tuition of $7,019.

Field productivity stands at 1% (84th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#32

Swarthmore, PA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
88.7 / 100
88.7
Field Productivity
1.6% productivity
95%
Program Depth
8 programs
96%
Retention
97%
96%

Swarthmore College is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 89, ranking in the 100th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 1,644 students with in-state tuition of $61,992.

Field productivity stands at 2% (95th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#33

Atlanta, GA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
88.6 / 100
88.6
Field Productivity
1.1% productivity
89%
Program Depth
4 programs
64%
Retention
96%
94%

Emory University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 89, ranking in the 97th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 15,046 students with in-state tuition of $59,920.

Field productivity stands at 1% (89th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#34

Haverford, PA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
88.6 / 100
88.6
Field Productivity
3.2% productivity
100%
Program Depth
5 programs
77%
Retention
94%
91%

Haverford College is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 89, ranking in the 100th percentile for field productivity.

The college enrolls 1,424 students with in-state tuition of $67,522.

Field productivity stands at 3% (100th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#35

Evanston, IL

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
88.3 / 100
88.3
Field Productivity
0.6% productivity
76%
Program Depth
6 programs
86%
Retention
97%
96%

Northwestern University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 88, ranking in the 99th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 23,203 students with in-state tuition of $64,887.

Field productivity stands at 1% (76th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#36

Brunswick, ME

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
88 / 100
88
Field Productivity
2.4% productivity
99%
Program Depth
4 programs
64%
Retention
98%
98%

Bowdoin College is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 88, ranking in the 99th percentile for field productivity.

The college enrolls 1,850 students with in-state tuition of $64,304.

Field productivity stands at 2% (99th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#37

Troy, NY

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
88 / 100
88
Field Productivity
1.2% productivity
91%
Program Depth
6 programs
86%
Retention
89%
81%

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 88, ranking in the 95th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 7,024 students with in-state tuition of $60,360.

Field productivity stands at 1% (91st percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#38

Saint Louis, MO

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
87.9 / 100
87.9
Field Productivity
0.7% productivity
77%
Program Depth
10 programs
98%
Retention
96%
94%

Washington University in St Louis is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 88, ranking in the 98th percentile for program depth.

The college enrolls 16,500 students with in-state tuition of $61,750.

Field productivity stands at 1% (77th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#39

Austin, TX

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
87.6 / 100
87.6
Field Productivity
0.7% productivity
78%
Program Depth
6 programs
86%
Retention
96%
94%

The University of Texas at Austin is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 88, ranking in the 99th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 53,082 students with in-state tuition of $11,678.

Field productivity stands at 1% (78th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#40

Wellesley, MA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
87.5 / 100
87.5
Field Productivity
1.9% productivity
97%
Program Depth
6 programs
86%
Retention
96%
94%

Wellesley College is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 88, ranking in the 97th percentile for field productivity.

The college enrolls 2,418 students with in-state tuition of $64,000.

Field productivity stands at 2% (97th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#41

Notre Dame, IN

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
87.3 / 100
87.3
Field Productivity
0.8% productivity
80%
Program Depth
5 programs
77%
Retention
98%
98%

University of Notre Dame is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 87, ranking in the 99th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 13,174 students with in-state tuition of $62,186.

Field productivity stands at 1% (80th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#42

Amherst, MA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
87.2 / 100
87.2
Field Productivity
2.4% productivity
98%
Program Depth
4 programs
64%
Retention
97%
96%

Amherst College is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 87, ranking in the 98th percentile for field productivity.

The college enrolls 1,910 students with in-state tuition of $66,650.

Field productivity stands at 2% (98th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#43

Hamilton, NY

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
87.1 / 100
87.1
Field Productivity
1.5% productivity
94%
Program Depth
5 programs
77%
Retention
93%
89%

Colgate University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 87, ranking in the 96th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 3,146 students with in-state tuition of $66,622.

Field productivity stands at 1% (94th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#44

University Park, PA

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
86.9 / 100
86.9
Field Productivity
0.9% productivity
85%
Program Depth
8 programs
96%
Retention
92%
88%

Pennsylvania State University-Main Campus is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 87, ranking in the 99th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 50,399 students with in-state tuition of $19,672.

Field productivity stands at 1% (85th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#45

Stony Brook, NY

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
86.8 / 100
86.8
Field Productivity
1.0% productivity
87%
Program Depth
10 programs
98%
Retention
89%
81%

Stony Brook University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 87, ranking in the 98th percentile for program depth.

The college enrolls 25,865 students with in-state tuition of $7,070.

Field productivity stands at 1% (87th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#46

Walla Walla, WA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
86.8 / 100
86.8
Field Productivity
1.8% productivity
97%
Program Depth
9 programs
98%
Retention
89%
81%

Whitman College is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 87, ranking in the 98th percentile for program depth.

The college enrolls 1,544 students with in-state tuition of $61,070.

Field productivity stands at 2% (97th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#47

Champaign, IL

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
86.6 / 100
86.6
Field Productivity
0.6% productivity
75%
Program Depth
7 programs
91%
Retention
94%
91%

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 87, ranking in the 98th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 56,563 students with in-state tuition of $14,768.

Field productivity stands at 1% (75th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#48

Medford, MA

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
86.5 / 100
86.5
Field Productivity
0.7% productivity
77%
Program Depth
6 programs
86%
Retention
96%
94%

Tufts University is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 87, ranking in the 98th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 13,274 students with in-state tuition of $66,358.

Field productivity stands at 1% (77th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#49

Clinton, NY

Complete Data Private Non-Profit
Overall Score
86.5 / 100
86.5
Field Productivity
1.6% productivity
96%
Program Depth
5 programs
77%
Retention
96%
94%

Hamilton College is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 87, ranking in the 96th percentile for completion rate.

The college enrolls 2,048 students with in-state tuition of $62,090.

Field productivity stands at 2% (96th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

#50

College Park, MD

Complete Data Public
Overall Score
86.3 / 100
86.3
Field Productivity
0.6% productivity
75%
Program Depth
6 programs
86%
Retention
96%
94%

University of Maryland-College Park is a top-performing institution in the program-field ranking with a score of 86, ranking in the 97th percentile for field scale.

The college enrolls 40,813 students with in-state tuition of $9,889.

Field productivity stands at 1% (75th percentile), indicating strong output in this program area.

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